A Story on Linen

About the exhibition

This is an exhibition of linocut prints – with some watercolour and sewing – by talented local artist, Barbara Allen. Many of the prints were inspired by John O’Connor’s ‘Come Day, Go Day’, a novel about life in a linen mill community on the outskirts of Armagh. The linocuts are printed on unbleached vintage linen. The linen was made around 1930 by William Clark & Sons of Upperlands – one of the oldest linen companies in Northern Ireland. Using nothing more than a rolling pin, the images have been printed with linseed oil-based inks (another product of the flax plant).

About the artist

Barbara Allen attended Glengormley High School where her interest in art was nurtured. She went on to study Visual Communication at the University of Ulster, graduating with a BA (Hons) degree in 1982 and an Advanced Diploma two years later. Known for her watercolours, Barbara enjoys getting creative with rare fabric too. Her artwork has been displayed throughout Ireland and across the globe, including Gallery Parken (Norway), Nanchizi Art Museum (China), and the White House (USA). Barbara has received numerous awards, and is a six-times winner of the watercolour prize at the Royal Ulster Academy (RUA). An annual exhibitor with the RUA since 1995, Barbara was elevated to an Academician in 2018 and is currently a member of the board.